Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Imbolc

Also known as Imbolg, Caldlemas, Bride's Day, Oimelc, Brid's Day, or St Brigid’s Day is a festival marking the beginning of Spring. It is most commonly celebrated on February 1st or 2nd, and falls halfway between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox.

Imbolg means ‘in the belly/womb’ or ‘ewe’s milk’ and it is referring to the pregnant ewes (sheep) starting to milk. The holiday is a festival of the hearth and home, and a celebration of the lengthening days and the early signs of spring.

Imbolc is the Sabbat which honors the Goddess as the waiting bride of the returning sun God. Before the Nordic influence, it was also the Sabbat in which the Celts saw the sun as being born anew. In Ireland it is a special day to honor the Goddess Brid in her guise of bride.

People would often make grain dollies and dress them as brides. They would place these dollies in a honored place in their home, usually a special crib or bed called Bride’s Bed. These beds were decorated with flowers and nuts (and other symbols of male fertility).

Candles are also lit on this day, usually in a wreath (A symbol of the Wheel of the Year) and the candles represent the heat and light of the returning sun.

Many people celebrate Groundhog Day on February 2nd. This holiday came about from the Gaelic tradition about the hag called theCailleach. The hag of Gaelic tradition gathers her firewood for the rest of the winter on this day. Legend has it that if she intends to make the winter last a good while longer, she will make sure the weather on Imbolc is bright and sunny, so she can gather plenty of firewood. Therefore, people are generally relieved if Imbolc is a day of foul weather, as it means the Cailleach is asleep and winter is almost over. This is where the tradition of seeing if the groundhog sees his shadow comes from. If the day is sunny and bright the groundhog will see his shadow and there will be 6 more weeks of winter.

For many Wiccans, Imbolc is the traditional time for initiations. Many consider Imbolc to be a Woman’s festival because Imbolc is associated with the Wiccan Goddess Brigid.

Songs:Brighids Kiss, Gabhain Molta Bhride, Shepherd Moons, The Dark Night of the Soul, The Two Trees, As I Lay Me Down to Sleep, Raise Your Spirits, Goddess is Bringing Good Cheer.

Introduction

Hi, I'm Kat. I am a solitary practicing Witch and I am writing this blog to share my adventures in all things Pagan and Wicca. I am getting Handfasted to my Partner of 6 years, so a lot of this blog will talk about the upcoming handfasting, as well as Sabbaths and other things that catch my fancy. I hope you all enjoy and keep an open mind. Thank you!
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